Olive Garden Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Woodbridge Township

Sorry for the NOVEL but this review was absolutely necessary.

Will never be returning to this location again. Our server SONIA was too busy yapping away, she couldn't do her job correctly. It was before the dinner rush and she had about 3-4 tables at the most but clearly couldn't handle it. Made us wait 20 minutes for our salads, then another 15 minutes after that for the breadsticks. She came by briefly ONCE after our food was out and that was her last visit to our table. But more than our disservice, I was more annoyed with how the table next to us was being treated by her. She came by the table next to us where there was a family of 3 celebrating grandma's birthday. It was clear that some disabilities were present and their patience and kindness was being taken advantage of. Grandma was wheelchair bound and it seemed like they wanted to have their dessert and be on their way. They waited about 30 minutes to place their dessert order with Sonia. (When we were seated, this family had already finished eating and was waiting to order dessert.) We heard the servers singing happy birthday to someone at a nearby table so the lady mentioned to the server that it was mom's birthday at the time they ordered. The dessert was brought out and Sonia walked over annoyed and had the audacity to ask grandma, "do you want me to sing happy birthday to you??". She nodded yes and to that she let out a sigh and told her, "oh ok I'll go find people to sing for you then." And to no one's surprise, SHE NEVER RETURNED. Grandma sat there staring at her dessert for about 15-20 minutes until I had enough of the BS. I got up and asked to speak to the manager. Sonia magically appeared once I walked up to speak to her manager and looked very confused. I told the manager, Lisa, exactly what happened at our table AND spoke on the behalf of the table next to us. Lisa immediately jumped in and took care of everything. Our 'buy 1 take 1' meal finally came out and this whole process probably took another 10 minutes. We wished grandma a happy birthday and let them know that I had voiced their nasty experience as well. The mom thanked us and as we were walking out, I finally heard.2 peoples voices singing happy birthday to grandma.

Ridiculous. I believe the server knew exactly what she was doing. She knew exactly which tables she could neglect and get away with. People like her shouldn't be in the...

In my 25 years of living, the Olive Garden in Secaucus has always been my go-to spot. It’s the place that made me fall in love with Olive Garden as a kid, and it’s been a cherished part of my dining experiences ever since. Recently, I moved to Woodbridge and decided to give the Olive Garden here a try. Unfortunately, my visits have left me disappointed.

My first visit was in September when my girlfriend and I went for a late-night date around 10:30 PM while testing my commute. I’ll admit it was late, and I understand the staff might have been eager to close, as I’ve been in their shoes before. However, the breadsticks were hard, and the loud vacuuming while we were eating made it difficult to communicate. Despite these issues, we decided to give them a pass, chalking it up to being an off day for everyone.

This past Saturday, my girlfriend wanted to celebrate my graduation by taking me out to eat. I suggested we give Olive Garden Woodbridge another chance, hoping for a better experience. I even checked the reviews beforehand, which seemed comparable to the Secaucus location, so I thought, "Why not?"

Before arriving, I called to ask if there was a wait and if they were showing the football game. I was told there was no wait and that the game would be playing. Perfect. When we arrived, however, the host simply said, “You guys can have a seat and wait.” There was no wait time mentioned, no warm greeting just a very curt and unprofessional tone.

I then asked if we could sit by the TV to watch the game, but the host informed us that no seats by the TV were available. We said no problem and sat down. However, after waiting for about 5 minutes, we noticed the host seating two families who had walked in after us. Confused, we approached the host to ask why, and she claimed she thought we only wanted seats by the TV. This miscommunication could have been easily avoided with better clarity and customer service.

Frustrated, my girlfriend and I left without dining. This experience was unprofessional and disappointing, especially for a restaurant I’ve always loved. I hope the Woodbridge Olive Garden improves its staff training and communication. A little courtesy and attention to detail go a long way in ensuring a positive dining experience...

When you think of a culinary pilgrimage through the heart of Italy, naturally Olive Garden comes to mind. And why wouldn't it? Set in the romantic ambiance of a bustling strip mall, this fine dining establishment offers a taste of the Old Country that rivals, well, maybe not Grandma's homemade lasagna, but it's definitely up there.

Enter the "Tour of Italy" dish, a veritable smorgasbord of Italian classics, each more authentic than the last. I mean, who needs a plane ticket when you can indulge in a gastronomic getaway just a short drive from your suburban abode? With this trio of Chicken Parmigiana, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Lasagna Classico, you'll be whisked away to the Italian countryside in no time.

Let's discuss the Chicken Parmigiana, a dish that has me questioning if it was indeed crafted by the hands of culinary maestros or simply lovingly prepared in a slightly-too-small kitchen. Regardless, the crispy breading and generous layer of cheese provide an appetizing adventure in each bite.

And the Fettuccine Alfredo? A creamy delight that, despite its modest origins in the Olive Garden kitchen, transports your taste buds to a quaint Roman trattoria. Is it just me, or can you hear the gondoliers singing in the distance?

Finally, the Lasagna Classico. A veritable slice of Italy in all its layered glory. One can't help but wonder if this dish was inspired by the leaning tower of Pisa – it may not stand perfectly straight, but it certainly captures the essence of Italian culture.

Now, don't get me wrong, Olive Garden may not quite compare to dining on a terrace overlooking the Tuscan countryside, but it does deliver a genuinely enjoyable meal. In all seriousness, the Tour of Italy is a tasty and satisfying dish that showcases the best of what this chain restaurant has to offer. If you're seeking a little taste of Italy without the jet lag, give it a try....